The intriguing world of collecting souvenirs – what’s their allure?

When Pratishtha Singh, an architecture student, recently visited Spiti Valley, she sent postcards to her family and close friends from the world's highest post office in Hikkim. This, she believes, is a souvenir that will bring back the memories of the place and create hope for visiting it together. "Apart from family and friends, I sent one postcard to myself also. Later, when I go through these mementos, I'll catch a glimpse of my older self and all the experiences I had on this trip," she states.

Singh is not alone in collecting souvenirs, or mementos, as a traveller. This tradition has been at the heart of travel for thousands of years. It initially started with pilgrims bringing back the soil or water from the land they considered holy. It expanded to collecting antique objects and in today's world, there is no mould in which one can put souvenir collecting. Travellers bring back what sparks joy in them. While some opt for the regular fridge magnet and T-shirt souvenirs from every place they have been to, others opt for things that are unique to them or don't need to be bought such as rocks and pebbles.

"I do have a weird (not much though) habit of collecting pebbles or rocks, the smooth ones found near a river bed, from any river, lake, valley or sea that I visit," reveals Mumbai-based management executive Vaidehi Chavan.

"In the beginning, it was not a planned thing, and still is not, it has become a part of the process. This also is kind of a hereditary thing, passed on to me from my mother. I remember first seeing her collecting smooth round pebbles from this lake we visited when I was around six or seven years old. And I thought we were supposed to collect pebbles as an activity because my mom did so. A couple of years down the line, I understood the pebbles were just a showpiece for my mom, but till then had become an integral activity for my outdoor picnics or trips," she adds.

What place do these souvenirs hold in her heart; we ask.

"The reason for me collecting pebbles might be childish, but they do hold dear memories. The most recent one is the Manali trip I took last year in the month of June. We visited the Solang Valley on the third day of our trip, and there they were, my lovely dear pebbles, just waiting for me. I took some three or four pebbles with me, after sorting them through the 10-15 pebbles that I had collected in total. The criteria for getting selected as a pebble - you just have to bring a smile to my face, like my mother had when I first saw her do that," she expresses.

"Because of this habit, I also tend to remember the day I collected these more vividly, amongst the many other days of the trip, because I was the most present in the moment, and at the same time in my world collecting memories," she states.

Singh also likes collecting rocks from her sojourns.

"I collect rocks from some places and keep them in a jar. I have written dates and places on some of these rocks so they are vividly etched in my memory," she reveals.

Sayali Goyal, a Delhi-based visual anthropologist and author, loves collecting things that hold cultural value.

"I prefer buying or collecting something that's a symbol of that particular culture. I do collect a lot of books that are from specific cultures. When I went to Egypt, I got a book on Egyptian philosophy. I love buying poetry translations and art prints. I also buy a lot of craft things directly from artisans. For example, when I went to Uzbekistan, I got back a lot of textiles," she states.

(L) A craft souvenir bought by Sayali from the Lambada community in Telangana; (R) An old guide she bought

Apart from this, she also loves collecting stamps on tickets, maps, etc., as a symbol of her having visited a place. "I love collecting stamps. I recently went to Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan and they give you a little ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) which has a stamp of the country. I also collect a lot of train tickets and maps that are stamped," she reveals.

"I don't buy mass-produced souvenirs for tourists, but things that mean something to me. I hope souvenirs can be seen as anything and everything that means something to you and not just your mass-produced tourist souvenirs, which stereotype certain places," she further states.

This belief of not limiting the idea of souvenirs is backed by Abeer Shingade, a Pune-based design student. Ask him what he likes to collect as a souvenir and he's quick to say, "Kuchh bhi (anything)! I got some old posters from my recent visit to Mumbai. From McLeod Ganj, I got some unique pots from a pottery shop. These were not connected to the place, but they were something new. So, I bought them."

The definition of a souvenir varies from person to person, and so do their reasons for collecting it.

Why do people collect souvenirs?

"Material culture in general allows you to time travel when you look back and experience what you experienced during that travel. I think the most tangible emotion that is related to souvenirs is that it's an opportunity to tell your story. I dig into archives of my grandparents sometimes, and I feel like those are all souvenirs from the past. So, this is a way for me to tell my story. If ever the future generations were to see any of my things, they would know the emotions I experienced during those travels. Souvenirs also play a very important role when it comes to preserving culture because when I go back and look at something that I have from the 90s, it's such a great way to refer to that time," states Goyal.

Singh's reason for collecting souvenirs is fairly simple. "I like collecting memories," she says.

Pratishtha sent postcards to her family and friends from the world's highest post office in Spiti Valley

"Sometimes, I collect souvenirs as a memory of that place. Other times, it's because I spot something new or unique that I haven't seen before. It's not necessary to travel somewhere to collect souvenirs. Sometimes, I find unique things around my house also, like a stone. So, for me, souvenir collecting is related to exploring," says Shingade.

"Personally, souvenirs are a gateway to nostalgia, literally used as an anywhere door to visit the place that gave you heartfelt memories, or genuine smile and laughter, or just the feeling of peace within," comments Chavan.

While souvenirs hold personal meaning to people, there are psychological reasons behind their allure.

"Collecting souvenirs is a common human behaviour that serves several psychological purposes," says Mehezabin Dordi, Clinical Psychologist, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai.

She states the following reasons behind one's fascination with collecting souvenirs.

• Memory preservation: Souvenirs help people hold onto memories of significant events, experiences or places. They serve as tangible reminders of happy times, allowing individuals to relive and re-experience the associated emotions.
• Sense of identity: Collecting souvenirs can be a way to showcase one's interests, values and experiences, contributing to a sense of self and identity. Souvenirs can communicate to others who we are, where we've been and what we care about.
• Emotional comfort: Souvenirs can provide comfort and reassurance, especially during times of stress or uncertainty. They can serve as a tangible connection to a happy past or a sense of stability.
• Social connection: These can be used to share experiences and bond with others, fostering social connections and relationships. They can be a conversation starter or a way to share memories with family and friends.

Do souvenirs affect or reflect emotions?

"Souvenirs can evoke strong emotions and nostalgia, transporting us back to a specific moment in time. They can stimulate our senses, recalling the sights, sounds, smells and textures associated with a memory," explains Dordi.

"They also create a sense of continuity. Souvenirs provide a tangible link between past and present, helping us integrate our experiences into our sense of self. They represent the essence of an experience, distilling it into a physical object that can be cherished and reflected upon," she adds.

Do people ever go back to the souvenirs they collect?

"I do go back to them. I actually have a huge personal archive of everything I have collected during travels because I work extensively in crafts. I tend to collect a lot of useful things, for example, things that I can wear, read, put up on my wall, etc.," says Goyal.

For others, the encounter with their souvenirs is more occasional. "It's very spontaneous. I don't always intentionally go back to the things I collect because they are kept in some corner of the house. But maybe when I am cleaning my room or moving my stuff, I suddenly chance upon these memories again. It is like childhood photographs - you don't always revisit them but when you come across them, they always bring you happiness," concludes Singh.

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